Dublin Canvas is an inclusive public art project. The project is open to anyone over the age of 18. If you can pick up a brush and paint, we want you to submit an entry. All you need to do is submit an idea and if selected be willing to give up the amount of time it will take you to paint the box. Interested artists and community groups should carefully read the guidelines and criteria below and submit their artwork on time and in the correct format to info@dublincanvas.com
‍

Dublin Canvas runs throughout the Summer months and finishes by early Autumn. This year's timeline is as follows:

Callout Commences - Monday May 4th 2026
‍
Submission Deadline - Wednesday 10th June 2026
‍
Selection process - Thursday 11th June - Tuesday 30th June 2026
‍
Artwork Completed - Late June - Late September

Artists unavailable to paint at this time should not apply
‍

Dublin Canvas is an inclusive public art platform. To date, we have had a variety of artists from all age groups – college students to retirees, all walks of life - barristers to baristas, a wide variety of nationalities with a full array of art disciplines. Graphic designers, illustrators, stencil artists, fine artists, portrait artists, tattoo artists, street artists and landscape artists to name but a few.
The main objective of Dublin Canvas is to ‘Colour in the County.’ Artists have complete freedom on how to achieve this. Participants should draw upon their own creativity but will also pay attention to the distinctive characteristics of each area for inspiration, paying close attention to the surroundings of each box when designing their artwork. As each of the box locations is quite distinct, it is suggested that artists visit each location to draw inspiration from the immediate environment.
Selected artwork imagery will still be owned by the participants. However, you must agree to let Dublin Canvas use artwork imagery in any way to promote the platform and County Dublin. This will include use on websites, social media, and all related publications.
All artworks are intended to remain in place for a minimum of one year. The average lifespan of each piece is now 4.5 years. However, Dublin Canvas reserves the right to remove any artwork at any time without prior notice.

Artwork will be selected based on the following criteria:  
     
- Creativity and innovation of design      
- Relevance of the image to the chosen area
- Ability to work within the guidelines of the project

Designs would be ineligible if they contain the following:
·    
- Breach of intellectual property rights (stealing someone else's idea)·      
- Trademarks, advertisements, brand or business names, logos, orcopyrighted images·      
- Images relating to drugs/alcohol and/or offensive/contentious images·      
- Artwork dominated by text, unless relevant to the design

Entrants should bear in mind the following points when conceptualizing their designs:
·      
- Maximise the use of the 3-dimensional aspects of the boxes·      
- A small logo, entrant’s details and box reference number will appear onthe side of each unit·      
- The finished artwork will be in the public domain and may be vandalised. Consequently, large areas of the    design should not be left open to attack. For example, large areas of blue skies would give vandals the  opportunity to defaceyour artwork.
- It is recommended that participants visit each site for inspiration andto ensure that their designs integrate   with the surrounding area.·  
- Only prior agreed artwork can be painted on each traffic signal box·    
- Prior to painting, each of the allocated units will be painted a mattwhite by Dublin Canvas·      

Please view our extensive back catalogue at www.dublincanvas.com/artist-profiles-main for inspiration and an indication of what the council adjudication panel looks for in submissions.

Please send these two things with your submission: 

1. Your Artwork File. Send your design as a JPEG or PDF 
‍Label your file like this: Artist Name - Artwork Title 
Example: Jenny Carrol - Sideline Shenanigans 

2. Your Information:
Copy and paste the details below into the body of your email:
‍ 
Artist:  
‍Artwork Title:
‍Preferred ArtworkLocation/Area: view map below
‍Artwork Description: (40 words or less, if possible, not essential)  
‍Biography: (40 words or less, if possible, not essential)  
‍Contact: Website – Instagram – Bluesky – X – Facebook (if available)  
‍Materials: Dublin Canvas or own (see Budget section for details)  
‍Address: your general area or address

Artists may submit multiple entries. Please email your correctly prepared submission(s) to: info@dublincanvas.com






‍

Dublin Canvas is asking for members of the public that are interested in the project to volunteer their time and talent to help brighten up Dublin. In saying we believe it should not cost participants anything more than time. There are two options available to help cover costs. Option one is that Dublin Canvas will supply all materials (paints, brushes, PPE etc.) in a portable pack, plus payment of €300 to cover travel expenses/food/caffeine for the day. Or option two, a payment of €375 and participants supply their own materials. For the second option, the materials used would have to be pre-approved by Dublin Canvas. This will ensure all painted boxes will remain vibrant for the duration of the project. Please indicate on submission which option you would prefer.

‍
‍

‍

This Year's Callout will consist of:

(note: each artist brief is almost identical - only difference is council logo, template, plus photography)

Dublin City Council - 80 boxes spread out over Dublin City Council's eight main areas. The callout is now live, full details are on how to submit are contained within the artist brief.

‍Download: Dublin Canvas - Dublin City Council - Callout for Submissions - Summer 2026 PDF

‍Download: Dublin City Council - Traffic Signal Box Measurements Template - 2026 PDF

Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's - 15 boxes spread out over Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council's 6 main electoral areas. The callout is now live, full details are on how to submit are contained within the artist brief. 

Download: Dublin Canvas - Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council - Callout for Submissions - Summer 2026 PDF
‍
Download: Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council - Traffic Signal Box Measurements Template - 2026 PDF

‍Fingal County Council - 15 boxes spread out over Fingal County Council's 6 main electoral areas. The callout is now live, full details on how to submit are contained within the artist brief.

‍Download: Dublin Canvas - Fingal County Council - Callout for Submissions - Summer 2026 PDF‍
‍